St. Clair County Sheriff’s Deputies Thomas Trice and Bill Kenny open a private investigation and consulting firm in Belleville. Thomas Trice and Bill Kenny could be stars in a cop buddy movie. The two are best friends who have worked as partners i McClatchy

St. Clair County Sheriff’s Deputies Thomas Trice and Bill Kenny open a private investigation and consulting firm in Belleville. Thomas Trice and Bill Kenny could be stars in a cop buddy movie. The two are best friends who have worked as partners i McClatchy

‘A natural progression:’ Police partners become business partners

The two are best friends who have worked as partners in the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department for decades, solving murders, breaking up drug rings and investing gang activity. Now, they are business partners.

Trice, 46, and Kenny have spent more than two decades at the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department. Kenny is a master sergeant. Trice is a captain. The two have worked in investigations, tactical, drug and gang units. They both served as investigators with the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis. Trice is planning on retiring this year. Kenny will continue to work for the sheriff’s department.

Kenny, 45, has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from St. Louis University, a master’s degree from Lindenwood University and is currently pursuing his doctorate degree at Lindenwood. Kenny worked more than 6,000 felony cases ranging from rape to homicide. He closed 65 percent of his cases. Kenny currently serves as the assistant superintendent at the St. Clair County Jail.

Trice has two bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice and pre-law from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, two master’s degrees from Webster University and his doctoral degree from Lindenwood University. Trice is an assistant adjunct professor for St. Louis University. He is a licensed polygraph examiner. During his law enforcement career, he worked more than 18,000 felony cases and has worked as an undercover agent for state and federal law enforcement. He also has conducted more than 1,500 polygraph examinations. He is one of two state-licensed polygraph examiners south of Springfield.

“We are known as the dynamic duo,” Kenny said. “If it’s not broke, don’t fix it. We both are committed to doing what we know best, law enforcement, and giving that knowledge to the next generation of officers and departments.”